The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) warned against the closure of Beit Hanoun crossing (Erez) located in the northern Gaza Strip, threatening the lives of hundreds of patients who are supposed to leave the strip for necessary treatment.
PCHR condemned the targeting of the Palestinian customs checkpoint, near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, by Israeli warplanes. As a result of the attack, a Palestinian policeman sustained serious wounds, and damage was caused to surrounding facilities in the area.
PCHR also denounced the Israeli Occupation Forces’(IOF) closing of the crossing for a few hours, due to which, specific categories of Palestinians were denied travel via the crossing, including the Gaza Strip's patients who have obtained medical referrals to West Bank or hospitals in 1948-occupied territory.
At approximately 07:15 on Wednesday, 24 October 2012, an Israeli warplane attacked the customs checkpoint "44" of the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, which is approximately 1,700 meters away from Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, Hassan Harb Saleh Abu Jabal, 25, a Palestinian policeman from Beit Lahia, sustained critical wounds, while he was on duty, according to investigations conducted by PCHR.
Moreover, major damage was caused to the electricity network supplying the Gaza Strip with power, and to offices of security services in the area.
At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 24 October 2012, IOF closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing and declared the crossing area as a closed military area, PCHR added.
Palestinian patients in the Gaza Strip, who suffer from serious illnesses, depend on medical referrals to hospitals abroad for their medical treatment due to the inability of the Gaza Strip hospitals to treat these illnesses.
Consequently, 30 to 50 cases are referred to hospitals in 1948 occupied territories or the West Bank, including Jerusalem, daily in order to receive medical treatment or complete their treatment there.
PCHR condemned the continuing Israeli violations against civilians in the Gaza Strip, and called for halting the targeting of civilians in the Gaza Strip, who enjoy protection in time of armed conflict and military occupation according to international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
PCHR also condemned the policy of collective punishment practiced by the Israeli authorities against Palestinian civilians, in addition to the illegal closure imposed on the Gaza Strip for over 5 years now.
